Blog entry by Lynell Weymouth
They are easily trained and rarely aggressive. They should be handled regularly and can imitate spoken words.
Macaws eat a diet of pellets, fresh fruit and vegetables, and seeds. They also require a few wood perches to climb on and chew.
Macaws can develop a dominant streak, particularly when they are first introduced to the new environment. A veterinarian and avian behaviorist should be sought out to prevent this.
Training
Macaws are intelligent birds who thrive when handled regularly, given stimulation and exercise, and with regular attention. They are a joy to play with, explore their environment and manipulate objects and will often be enthralled by being cuddled or "skritched" when they feel secure with the person they're with.
Macaws that aren't properly handled can become aggressive, territorial or destructive. In the case of boredom, it can cause feather-picking which is a type of self mutilation. To avoid boredom, offer lots of toys with textures and multiple perches. Using toys designed to simulate preening is a great way to keep feathers from being destroyed by boredom. Contact a certified avian behaviorist and/or vet should these behavior occur.
Young hand - raised macaws adapt well to new environments and learning. Introduce them to new people, car trips, hospital visits, as well as other pets (including cats and dogs) and other birds at an early age. These birds are easily influenced and require regular handling from a young age to avoid them from developing friendships with just one person. If this happens, the parrots will often scream for attention and may start biting. The ability to lead, discipline and patience are the key to changing these behavior patterns.
As adults, larger macaws, such as the Melody blue spix macaw and Gold, Scarlet, Military, and Hyacinth, are more likely to develop behavioral problems. Hormonal imbalances, extreme changes in the environment, a insufficient stimulation for the mind and a poor diet can lead to depression and aggression. These problems can become serious health issues and cause a difficult situation for both the pet owner and the parrot.
Mini macaws are more easy to train than their larger counterparts. They can learn basic commands, tricks and words. They don't, however, bond as quickly with their owners. They rarely snuggle up to them or nuzzle. To build a relationship you should spend time each day with your bird outside of their cage and speak to them in a soothing tone to help them get used to your voice. Once a bond is built it is possible to teach them to take off your finger and learn how to interact with other people in a secure setting.
Care
Macaws need to interact with their human counterparts. They are social and intelligent birds. If they don't get enough time with their human counterparts, they can be bored and depressed. If not properly managed the macaw that is depressed may self-mutilate itself by pulling out its feathers, which can be extremely dangerous.
Socialization and training early is essential to avoid these problems. It is recommended that a hythian macaw for sale be handled on a regular basis to improve its bond with its owner, encourage general health, and allow for an easy inspection of the animal's body for any injuries or unusualities. Macaws can also be destructive, and owners must provide their birds with plenty of toys that are strong enough to keep them away from wood furniture and other tempting items around the home.
The nails of a macaw should be cut on a regular regularly. This helps with the handling of the bird and makes it harder for the nails to become stuck in things like caging and toys. Short nails also help keep the bird clean and healthy.
The size of the cage for a macaw is very important, since these massive animals require a lot of space to fly and exercise. A minimum cage size of 3 feet wide, 2.5 feet deep and 6 feet high is recommended. These large birds must be able spread their wings while in flight, and have space to play, climb, and perching.
Providing your macaw with an assortment of foraging chewable wood and rope toys puzzles that can be taken apart, and mechanical toys is a great way to provide daily enrichment. Physical enrichment can be offered by providing a variety branches for your macaw. They can climb them and hide inside them and hide in them.
If your macaw is acting oddly or is breathing openly or gasping for air or is acting sloppy and agitated, it could be trying to lay an egg. The eggs can put pressure on the nerves controlling the legs, causing self-mutilation and paralysis, so should you observe this behavior, you should contact your veterinarian or visit an animal emergency clinic.
Feeding
Macaws are omnivores, so they will enjoy eating fruits and vegetables as part of their diet. They can also eat pellets, nuts and commercial parrot food items.
They'll need to be fed diverse food choices on a daily basis so that their diet is balanced. These small birds eat less food than their larger counterparts, so owners won't need to make as many trips to pet stores. This can save you some money and that's always a positive thing!
The Hahn's Macaw is a great talker, with a loud and short lived call that they use to locate other members of their group. They also make loud contact calls that can be a bit percussive and they'll call their owner when they are feeling nervous or worried.
It's an excellent idea to begin your macaw off by touching the entire body, particularly between the wings and behind the head. They are awestruck by being touched and love being pampered! Annual exams are a must to ensure that your bird is healthy. This is the best moment to check your bird for fecal parasites, parasites and other health issues.
If you are thinking of getting a macaw, you will need to have an enclosure that is at minimum 36" x 24" x 24." This will give your macaw space to fly around and stretch out within. They should be able to exercise their natural energy to remain healthy and happy.
The cage should be well ventilated and should have a variety of perches to provide the bird with options. Providing the macaw with ways to let off their energy will keep them from becoming bored and stressed out. These birds are very active in the wild and require to be able to let go of their energy when they are at home.
A major issue with these little birds is their adolescent hormones. As they age, they can act like teenagers, and can become angry. This can be difficult for new parrot owners as they are learning how to live with their bird. The best option is to encourage positive behavior and be patient.
Health
Macaws are fond of playing with their owners and form strong bonds. They are intelligent birds that can be taught to communicate. They make a great addition to any household and can be a great companion during their 45-50-year-old lifespan. However, they can be aggressive if they aren't socialized properly and may be difficult to handle in the event of abuse or neglect. The species will be content and will make a wonderful pet when you train it and give it plenty of love and attention.
Hahn's mini macaws are great green macaw way to enjoy the same thrills and excitement as large macaws, but in a much smaller size. They are affectionate, and love to cuddle. However they don't bite or nip nearly as often as larger Macaws. They are very active little acrobats, but can be peaceful and calm as well. They are a great option for those looking to get an macaw, but do not have the space needed for a larger bird.
The chestnut-fronted macaw can also be called the severe macaw and is among the largest mini macaw breeds. It's green in color with patches of blue and red on the wings. The head is chestnut brown patches with lines of black feathers above the eyes. Chestnut-fronted Macaws can become aggressive in puberty. This can cause issues in the wild. The bird is well-suited to regular handling and loves learning new things.
Macaws are generally not territorial, but they may be aggressive if their habitat is stressful and crowded. If this happens, it is recommended to place the macaw in a more private area until they settle down. A veterinarian can perform an extensive physical examination of your bird to examine their ears, eyes and heart. A stool sample can also be taken to test for parasites.
Birdsville sells a wormer dubbed Worm-Away which is perfect for worming your macaw. Also, you will need to change the water on a regular basis and make sure the cage is stocked with fresh clean air. Keep the cage out of direct sunlight as it can cause the bird to become sick.